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UK Households Cancel Streaming Services To Cut Costs, Report Says

By
Koko Lawrence
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The rising cost of living in Britain has led to households cancelling their streaming subscriptions, new research suggests.

A total of 1.51 million services were canned in the first three months of 2022, market research firm Kantar said.

It said more than half a million cancellations were attributed to “money saving”, with households budgeting for higher prices and energy bills instead.

About 58% of Britain’s homes now have at least one paid streaming service.

The height of the pandemic and lockdowns saw surges in subscriptions for streaming platforms.

But researchers said the proportion of consumers planning to cancel subscriptions stating the primary reason as “wanting to save money” had risen to its highest ever level at 38%, up from 29% in final three months of 2021.

Kantar said households were “starting to seriously prioritise where and how their disposable income is spent”.

Dominic Sunnebo, global insight director at Kantar’s Worldpanel Division, added that the latest research would be “sobering” for the industry.

“The evidence from these findings suggests that British households are now proactively looking for ways to save,” he said.

Partygate Fines: Boris Johnson Set To Apologise To MPs Over Lockdown Breach

By
Koko Lawrence
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Boris Johnson is set to apologise for breaking his own lockdown laws when he makes his first statement to MPs since being fined by police.

The prime minister is expected to say he did not knowingly break the rules at a 2020 birthday party at No 10.

Opposition parties have accused him of lying to Parliament after he previously told them no rules had been broken.

Johnson has vowed to “set the record straight” when he speaks to MPs at about 16.30 BST.

But he is also expected to urge MPs to focus instead on issues such as rising prices and the war in Ukraine.

Speaking on ITV, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “He’s not just broken the rules, he’s lied to the public and he’s lied to Parliament about it”.

He also accused the PM of using the conflict in Ukraine as a “shield” to keep his job, adding that he finds such a tactic “pretty offensive”.

Sir Keir predicted: “He will try an apology, and he will immediately then go into excuses.”

Labour and other opposition parties want MPs to vote on Thursday on whether the Commons privileges committee should investigate if he misled Parliament.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is expected to announce what vote – if any – should take place on measures against Johnson, after 14.30 BST.

However, any such move is unlikely to succeed given the government’s Commons majority.

Earlier, shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry said Labour was relying on Tory MPs to vote “the right way” to achieve their aims.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has been criticised for comparing the PM’s lockdown fine to former ministers receiving speeding and parking fines.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the comments an “insult to bereaved families”, adding: “The excuses of Conservative ministers are getting more pathetic by the day”.

Johnson became the first serving UK prime minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law when, along with his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, he was fined last week for attending the birthday event held for him in the Cabinet Room in June 2020.

The PM is facing accusations of lying to MPs because he initially told them Covid rules had been followed in No 10 after the first reports of parties emerged last year.

Under government rules, ministers are expected to resign for knowingly misleading MPs – and correct the record as soon as possible if they inadvertently tell Parliament something false.

Johnson has since said it “did not occur” to him the June 2020 event could have broken the rules. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has argued Johnson had not “knowingly” mislead MPs.

SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has accused Johnson of “repeatedly” lying to Parliament about his fine, and said the “basic values of integrity and decency” mean he should resign.

Alongside staff leaving parties on 18 June 2020 and 16 April 2021, the June 2020 birthday event is among three so far known to have attracted fines.

Johnson is known to have attended at least two further events of the 12 being investigated by police, meaning he could be fined again.

Opposition parties are calling for the PM and chancellor to resign over their fines – but the two men have been backed by their fellow cabinet ministers.

More than 70 Conservative MPs have expressed their support for the PM since he was fined, including some who have previously called for him to go.

Since Johnson was fined last week, only a handful of Tory MPs have publicly said he should quit.

$418m Paris Club Loan Refund: States Warn FG Not To Tamper With Funds

By
Koko Lawrence
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The 36 states of the federation have warned the Federal Government not to tamper with funds accruing to them and the 774 local councils under the guise of satisfying an alleged $418 million London/Paris Club Loan refund-related judgment debts.

In documents seen, yesterday, the states said they were not parties to any suit on the London/Paris Club refund, and as such were not liable to any person or entity in any judgment debt being relied on by the Federal Government.

Speaking through the body of Attorneys-General of the Federation, the states warned further that should the Federal Government proceed to make any such deduction, it would be acting illegally and in contempt of their appeal challenging the judgment.

They gave the warning in an April 4 letter as part of their response to a November 11, 2021 letter from the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, advertising commencement of the deduction for liquidation of the alleged judgment debts.

The reply of the states was signed by the body of Attorneys-General of the Federation Interim Chairman, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) of Lagos State and Interim Secretary, Dr. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana of Nasarawa State, as well as the Attorneys-General of Rivers, Abia, Taraba, Benue, and Zamfara States, for and on behalf of all the state Attorneys-General.

It reads in part: “Their Excellencies have drawn our attention to your letter referenced above, which the various states of the federation received at about the end of March 2022.

“The letter notifies the states of your intention to commence deduction from allocations due to the states from the Federation Account for liquidation of the London/Paris Club Loan refund-related judgment debts on behalf of the 36 states of the federation and the 774 local councils.

“Please, note that the states of the federation were not parties to any contract or suits concerning the London/Paris Club refund, from which the said judgment debts arose.

“Consequently, the 36 states of the federation are not liable to any person or entity in any judgment debt.”

The letter noted that the deduction of the allocations due to the 36 states of the federation from the Federation Account to liquidate the London/Paris Club Loan refund-related judgment debts is the subject of an appeal filed by the 36 states at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

It explained: “The appeal challenges the Federal High Court’s (per Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo) judgment delivered on March 25, 2022 between A.G Abia State v. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria & 42 Ors. and, therefore, the issue is sub judice.”

In addition, it noted that the states have also filed a Motion on Notice for an Order of Injunction pending appeal. The letter added that the body’s legal representatives had published a public caveat in national dailies notifying the public of the pending appeal, which also advised concerned parties “to desist from dealing with the subject matter thereof pending the hearing and determination of the appeal and the application for injunction pending appeal”.

It said that given the above, “The law requires you to restrain from taking any step whatsoever that is capable of interfering with the rest of the suit, which is now a subject of an appeal.

“Accordingly, Nigerian case law enjoins you to refrain from effecting any deduction whatsoever from the allocations due to the 36 states from the Federation Account for the liquidation of the London/Paris Club Loan refund-related judgment debts purportedly on behalf of the 36 states of the federation and the 774 local councils, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal by the states of the federation. Doing otherwise in the face of the pending Appeal and Motion on Notice for Injunction pending appeal shall be at your peril.”

El-Rufai Approves Regularisation Plans For Two Undocumented Layouts In Kaduna

By
Koko Lawrence
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Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has approved the regularisation of two more layouts within Kaduna metropolis, in line with the state government’s Regularisation Programme.

This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Nuhu Dan’ayamaka, the Public Relations Executive of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) on Tuesday in Kaduna.

These new layouts, he said, are for Maigero Phase II (TPO 1263) and Buwaya area (TPO 1210) layouts, all in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

This, he added, brings the total number of regularisation layouts so far approved by Gov. El- Rufa’i to 15.

These areas are Danbushiya, Gidan Daji, Sabon Gida, NAFDAC, NITR, Chanchangi (Sabon Tasha), Danhonu I, Maigero phase1, Babban Saura and Oil Village.

Others are Kinkinau, NITEL Television, Stello (Sabon Tasha), Maigero phase II and Buwaya.

Dan’ayamaka, said the approval for the exercise was in line with the ongoing Urban Renewal Programme of the KDSG and the State Government’s gesture for the regularisation of undocumented layouts within the designated urban areas and other parts of Kaduna Metropolis.

He called on the owners of unapproved structures and those intending to develop within the recent approved regularised areas to go along with their relevant documents to commence building permission process.

It was reported that the KASUPDA embarked on a Regularisation Programme for undocumented and unplanned layouts.

The agency said this in concert with the Kaduna Geographical Information Service, KADGIS, in the Regularisation Programme, which is aimed at upgrading existing settlements to a certain standard.

The programme will help in urban planning, population management, help existing structures to acquire their Certificate of Occupancy and will also assist in providing information that will help in managing security challenges.

N10b Debt: FCTA Seals Federal Ministry Of Works, Character Commission, Others

By
Koko Lawrence
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0

The FCT Administration, on Tuesday sealed the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Character Commission and Merit House Maitama over N10 billion waste collection debt owed Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

Addressing newsmen during the exercise, the Director of AEPB, Osilama Briamah, said the board provided waste management and other environmental services for their service providers and they refused to pay.

He explained that the board had huge amount laying without response from the defaulters.

“We try to negotiate to have a better way to achieve results but there was no positive response, we have given them payment plan but many of them refused to take this opportunity serious.

“The board then resorted to legal means to recover the debts. The board obtained court orders to seal the premises.

“The exercise which has just begun will cover all public and private offices owing the board,’’ he said.

A senior magistrate court sitting in Wuse II, Abuja had served the defendants with summons to appear before the court on March 30, but they failed to honour the court.

The breakdown of the debts showed that Federal Ministry of Education owed N25,838,275, Federal Ministry of Defense –N17,220,775.00 and Federal Character Commission, N10,128,906.25.

Others include Civil Service Commission-N2,451,649.50, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, N21,683,750.00, Federal Ministry of Health N14,204,843.75.

Also owing are; Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, N19,222,287.50, Federal Ministry of Works, N9,998,625.00 and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps Wuse,N16,583,031.25.

Speaking, Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, said the operation followed the initiative put together by the FCT Minister and the FCTA Permanent Secretary to recover debts owed the board.

Attah stated that the FCT Administration was worried about the huge amount being owed FCTA.

“FCT Administration needs enough fund to build infrastructure and keep the city running. The administration has decided to go after the Ministries, Parastatal Agencies and Private individuals.

“We cannot wait to see government money tie down, it is wrong for people not to pay for services rendered,” he said.

It is reported that AEPB said it may lockdown some government offices, hotels, Plazas and other business premises due to debts owed the board.

The Director of AEPB, Osilama Briamah, made the disclosure in a statement, on Monday in Abuja.

Briamah explained that the measure was coming on the heels of the Task Team set up by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, to recover over N10 billion owed the AEPB by several government agencies, business premises and residential apartments.

Once Upon A Time – April 19 – 1854 – 19-Year-Old English Baptist Preacher, Charles Spurgeon, Is Called To Pastor New Park Chapel In London

By
Angel Gimalo
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1770 British explorer Captain James Cook first sights Australia. Writes in his logbook that “what we have as yet seen of this land appears rather low, and not very hilly, the face of the Country green and Woody, but the Seashore is all a white Sand.”

1775 American Revolution begins in Lexington, Massachusetts. The “Shot Heard Round the World” takes place later that day in Concord

1854 Nineteen-year-old English Baptist preacher, C.H. (Charles Haddon) Spurgeon, is called to pastor the New Park Chapel in London, one of the city’s largest churches.

1909 Joan of Arc receives beatification by the Roman Catholic Church

1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Timothy McVeigh sets a truck bomb at Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 and injuring 500

2011 Fidel Castro resigns his position of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba after 45 years of holding the title

Historical Events Today

Today In Film & Tv

1934 Shirley Temple appears in her 1st feature-length film, “Stand Up & Cheer”

Today In Music

1774 CW Glucks opera “Iphigenia in Aulis” premieres in Paris

Today In Sport

1897 1st Boston Marathon (B.A.A. Road Race), won by John J. McDermott in 2:55:10; the world’s oldest annual marathon inspired by success of the first marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Do You Know This Fact About Today?

1943 Bicycle Day – Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann deliberately takes LSD for the first time

Would You Believe This Fact About Today?

1919 Leslie Irvin of US makes first premeditated free-fall parachute jump

2023 Presidency: China Denies Backing Amaechi

By
Henry Williams
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The Chinese Embassy in Abuja has refuted a media report claiming that China has thrown its weight behind the presidential ambition of Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to become Nigeria’s President in 2023, describing the report as fake news.

The Embassy debunked the report in a statement issued on Saturday by the its spokesperson, urging the public to ignore such fabricated report.

Part of the statement reads: “The attention of the Embassy of China has been drawn to a misleading report on an online news portal, alleging that Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Hon. Minister of Transport of Nigeria and one of the aspirants to the 2023 Presidential Election, “has secured the backing of the Chinese Government”, and “…several meetings were held between Amaechi’s allies and the Chinese Government”, even claiming that ‘China needs to … install its dominance in Africa.’

“The general public is kindly reminded to ignore it and keep vigilant on this kind of fake news, which is fabricated with ulterior motives.

Marrakesh Menara Airport, Morocco, Where The Entire Façade Is Constructed By Steel And Glass

By
Angel Gimalo
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0

The Marrakesh Menara Airport is the main international airport that serves the city of Marrakesh in the central part of the Kingdom of Morocco.

What makes this airport interesting is the building which is a unique modernist creation that welcomes guests to the new century, so that later when they leave it, they would be transported into the history of the classical traditions of the city.

As the runway was used for cargo, transiting aircraft and personnel by the US Army Forces Air Transport Command during the Second World War, the purpose for the airport did not diminish even after the end of the war.

As a matter in fact, Marrakesh Menara Airport became the main gateway for visitors to the nation and very beautiful city.

The two combined terminals are accommodating passengers every day, while the third one is separated.

The building itself is considered to be an unique creation of modern and traditional architecture, where there are patterns which incorporate traditional Moroccan details.

The entire façade is constructed by steel and glass, while it follows the rhombus shape which is copied throughout the entire building.

There are rhombi at the center, while to the top and bottom part of the rhombuses are triangles.

From the inside it is clearly visible that the rhombi transcends from the exterior façade to the roof, and the windows are detailed with interesting mosaic-like patterns.

The roof that covers the entrance to the airport building is too featured with these intriguing pattern designs which are quite common around Morocco.

Ultimately representing the Moroccan nation, the Marrakesh Menara Airport is certainly one of the few unique ones around the world that shall welcome you to the new century and later like a time machine will transfer you to the long lasting traditions of arts, crafts, music, food, and architecture.

Water Diversion: Nebraska Law To Advance Proposed Colorado Canal Project

By
Angel Gimalo
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Nebraska Governor, Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about Colorado’s increased water use.

Ricketts proposed the canal project to help protect Nebraska’s water rights as the population of Colorado’s Front Range increases, although Colorado officials have questioned the need for it.

“Water is our most important natural resource after our people. We need to continue to manage, protect and steward it here in our state,” Ricketts said.

The law will allow Nebraska to begin work on the roughly $500 million canal, but the measure includes only $53.5 million to design the project and potentially secure purchase options on land that might be used for it in the future.

Officials estimate that it will take eight to 10 years to complete the project, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources will have to return to the Legislature next year to obtain additional funding.

Constructing the project would give Nebraska the right to claim some of the water in late fall, winter and early spring and store it for use in drier times.

Colorado has always fulfilled its obligation to provide at least 120 cubic feet (3.4 cubic meters) per second of water during the summer irrigation season, but it has no such duty during the non-irrigation season.

A spokesman for Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called the project “a bad-faith attempt to undermine a century-long and successful compact between Colorado and Nebraska and a costly boondoggle for Nebraska taxpayers.”

Flood: Cities On Louisiana Coast, Mississippi River Hoping On Biden’s $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Package

By
Angel Gimalo
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0

When Hurricane Ida hit last summer, a storm surge overwhelmed a levee and gushed into Ted Falgout’s coastal Louisiana home, destroying his furniture and the beloved framed photos.

“That water was probably 60% mud,” said Falgout, who’s hoping relief is on the way for his community in Larose, about 30 miles southwest of New Orleans.

As climate change makes hurricanes stronger and wetter and increases storm surges, cities on the Louisiana coast and Mississippi River are hoping President Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure package will provide badly needed funding to fortify locks, levees and other flood protections.

But community groups and advocates fear smaller cities will struggle to navigate the maze of government programs and miss out on the rare chance to protect against rising waters and heavy rains.

“I think the agencies are still figuring a lot of this out,” said Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, which advocates for communities along the river.

While many swaths of the country are at risk for flooding, the Louisiana coast has long been especially vulnerable and the Upper Mississippi is part of a region where flood severity is increasing faster than in any other area of the country.

La Crosse, Wisconsin is among the cities trying to figure out how to benefit as infrastructure funds start rolling out.

The city’s levees were built after devastating flooding in 1965 and don’t meet federal standards that would help lower insurance rates and make it easier for residents to fix up their homes without having to spend more to protect against floods, said Brad Woznak of SEH, a flood planning consultant for the city.

Upgrading the levees would be so expensive it’s hard for the city to know how to get started, he said.

“But with this potential infrastructure bill funding, that’s what I keep telling them — don’t rule anything out yet,” Woznak said, noting that it could be a chance to pay for an initial evaluation for the project.

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